MINING & EXPLORATION

Introduction

Index Power and Energy Ltd. is one of the leading business Companies in Bangladesh engaged in Mining and Exploration of any type of Natural resources and its Exploration, Excavation, Extraction, Refining, Conversion, Production, Manufacturing, Marketing, Servicing, Consulting, Exporting, Importing in home and abroad. Under the banner of Index Power and Energy, Index Mining has currently earned the reputation of one of the largest Mining Facilities in Bangladesh with state of the art technology required for the completion of the running projects. Now we are working for heavy mineral and peat land exploration. We have already conducted reconnaissance survey as preliminary step of Exploration. We have conducted survey at upstream (Kurigram) and downstream (nearer to the Bangabandhu Multi purpose) of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River. The sediment samples were collected from different exposed sand bar deposits. Samples were sent to GSB and BCSIR for laboratory test found that For preparing heavy mineral grain slide and heavy mineral concentration (mainly amphibole, epidote, garnet, apatite, tourmaline, sillimanite, kyanite, zircon, rutile, staurolite, illmenite, magnetite and some other heavy minerals with a density above 2.9) in river sand is about 15-20% where as the lowest cut-off grades of heavy minerals, as a total heavy mineral (THM) concentrate from the bulk sand, in most ore deposits is around 1% heavy minerals and rarely exceed 30%. After that, we select three areas for exploration license (2550 hectares of Phulchari Upazila of Gaibandha district, 1900 hectares of Sariakandi Upazila of Bogra district along Jamuna river and 800 hectares of Lalpur Upazila of Natore district along Ganges. We have already completed reconnaissance survey on peat land at Bijoy Nagar Upazilla, Brahmanbaria District and we found that the quality of peat in area is excellent and it is mature type of peat which has high calorific value of 7000 btu/lb-12000 btu/lb, low ash and sulfur content. Our proposed area in 4000 hectares. After compiling all documents and maps we have submitted application for exploration license to Bureau of Mineral Development.

BUSINESS NEED ASSESSMENT

The Proposed areas for the exploration of mineral sand in the Bhamaputra-Jamuna River and Ganges river valley comprise Khash Land. Most of the land which comprises newly form sand bar not suitable for cultivation and people habitation. But very little land may become cultivable and even then people in the area live on cultivation. There is no orchard or civil engineering structure in or near the area. Larger basin of Brahmaputra-Jamuna River and Ganges River led to heavy discharge of sediment which is continuous process. Due to this reason, numerous bars which are deposited in River bed, inhibited the natural water flow and create flood and other natural hazards. To overcome this problem, the Government has to take continuous project for dredging river bed which will be very expensive. By extracting sands with valuable heavy minerals, it can be very much helpful for national economic growth as well as river bed dredging. After separating the valuable minerals the remaining sands may use as construction materials. The effect on biodiversity of proposed area is negligible. On the other hand, there will be a scope of employment of the poor people of the remote corner of the country and it will also be possible to engage women in the lighter job for carrying, stacking etc. mineral sand. As such economic condition of the poor people of the locality would be alleviated. The poverty alleviation program of the Government would be partially materialized and revenue income of the Government will be increased.

Conclusion

eavy minerals are of great valuable economic mineral. The demand of these minerals is increasing day by day. In this report, it is clearly observed that the heavy mineral concentration in the proposed area might be prospective. The placer mineral can be used in various industries. There are few industries, Chittagong steel mill, different ceramic industries, paper mills and other industries of Bangladesh use placer mineral. Few local industries manufacture welding electrodes. But they have to import raw material (rutile) from abroad. This project can be fulfill the local demand then earn foreign currency also by exporting those valuable minerals.

OPERATION (LOCATION & EXTENT) :

Phulchari upazila

Phulchari upazila is a remote upazila of Gaibandha district under JL No.10,12,13,14,15,16,17,35,37,38,40 and lies between the latitude 89º37׳10"E to 89º39׳46"E and Longitude 25º14׳55"N to 25º19׳02" N. Total area covers about 2550 hectares.

Sariakandi Upozila

Sariakandi Upozila of Bogra district uder JL No. 143,144 and 145 and lies between Latitude 89º37'45"E to 89º41'26"E and Longitude 24º53'44"N to 24º58'18" N. Total area covers about 1900 hectares containing 1,06,59,00,000 tons crude sand and 15,98,85,000 tons heavy mineral.